Jeremiah 10:3
1 Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them.
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter.
5 Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.
- KJV
- For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
- WEB
- For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the ax.
- ASV
- For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
- DARBY
- For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for [it is] a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan;
- BLB
- For the customs of the peoples are vanity! For one cuts [down] a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman, with the ax.
- ÅB
- For folkenes skikker er tomhet. De feller et tre i skogen, og treskjæreren lager det til med øksen;
- OTB
- For folkenes skikker er forgjeves; de hugger tre fra skogen, en håndverker former det med et verktøy.
- B1930
- For folkenes skikker er tomhet. De feller et tre i skogen, og treskjæreren lager det til med øksen;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Peter 1:18
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
Read in contextIsaiah 44:9–20
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.
Read in contextLeviticus 18:30
You must keep My charge not to practice any of the abominable customs that were practiced before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the LORD your God.”
Read in contextJeremiah 10:8
But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!
Read in contextRomans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
Read in contextMatthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.
Read in contextIsaiah 45:20
Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.
Read in context1 Kings 18:26–28
And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.
Read in context